The public transit agency of Toronto has been under a massive ransomware attack. The transport company operates runs the subway, bus, streetcar, and paratransit services in the Toronto region.
A representative of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) says that the attack on their computer systems was initiated Thursday night and continued till Friday.
Stuart Green, a TTC spokesman, confirms that it hasn’t caused any major harm to transit service and its employees and the public are also safe from it.
The #TTC was the victim of an IT system breach today. No significant service impact and the transit system remains safe.
Work underway to resolve the issue.
Our statement below… pic.twitter.com/3fAzOh3fde— TTCStuart 🚈🗣️ (@TTCStuart) October 29, 2021
Ransomware is a kind of cyber attack that targets a company’s system to encrypt their data, locking the user out. Hackers usually demand a lump-sum ransom in exchange for the data they encrypted.
Green says that transit vehicles are operating as usual, but apps and computer displays of route details have been affected.
He didn’t specify any details about when will the affected services restore.
“The full extent of the attack is being looked into and the TTC is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts on the matter,” he said in a press release.
“The City of Toronto’s IT service department has also been consulted.”
The TTC is responsible for providing transit service for over 1.7 million people every weekday in Toronto and nearby municipalities.